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Diazepam in Ewa Beach Hawaii

Diazepam is a benzodiazepine drug used to treat anxiety disorder, panic attacks, insomnia, muscles spasms, and seizures. Benzodiazepine drugs also referred to as ‘benzos’ belongs to a class of psychoactive drugs. Also, benzodiazepines garnered popular medical attention as an improved version of barbiturates. The drug acts to calm the nerves and the brain. Doctors administer diazepam to patients before a medical procedure. Diazepam is available in pill form or as an injectable. Diazepam is commonly marketed as Valium and is similar to Xanax.

Additionally, benzodiazepines are less dangerous compared to other drugs. Death from diazepam overdose rarely occurs except for instances that users combine it with other depressants such as alcohol or opioids. In the initial release of diazepam, it gathered widespread support from the public. However, as years goes by, the drug garnered criticism and demands for restrictions on its medical prescriptions.

 

Fast Facts about Diazepam:

  • In the US alone, ‘primary tranquilizer’ like benzodiazepine-type drug increased 79% from the year 1992 to 2002. The data also indicates that abuse of benzodiazepines drug triggered a concern in the medical community.
  • In 2000, hospital admission related to benzodiazepines and narcotic pain reliever use increased 569.7%. The number rose from 5,032 to 33,701 admissions in 2010.
  • 45.7% of benzodiazepine and narcotic pain reliever related admissions reported having an interconnected psychiatric disorder.
  • From the years 1998 to 2008, the benzodiazepine admissions tripled in number.

History of Diazepam

Dr. Leo Sternbach who works at the pharmaceutical company Hoffman-La Roche created diazepam, his second benzodiazepine invention. He did his works at the company’s facility in Nutley, New Jersey. The drug was later approved in 1960. Diazepam was then sold publicly in 1963 as a better substitute for Librium. During those times, diazepam became extremely popular, the sales from the drug helped Roche to become one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies.

Soon after the success of diazepam, other pharmaceutical companies released benzodiazepine derivative drugs.  From 1969 until 1982, diazepam becomes the top-selling pharmaceutical drug in the US. The sales from the drug peaked in 1978 with 2.3 billion tablets sold.

Psychiatry and Diazepam

Psychiatrists prescribe diazepam as a treatment for short-term relief of anxiety. On the other hand, neurologists prescribed the drug for treatment of epilepsy and spastic activity. Furthermore, doctors use diazepam as the first line of treatment for a rare illness called stiff-person syndrome.


Why is Diazepam abused?

As a drug, diazepam can cure several illnesses. However it can also cause addiction as it acts as a sedative and muscle relaxant that affects the nervous system, it provides a feeling of euphoria. Doctors highly prescribe diazepam which makes it readily accessible. The combination of these two makes it easy for users to obtain the drug. Once addiction is developed, it can cause severe withdrawal symptoms to the users.

Another reason for diazepam abuse can begin with a simple peer pressure or curiosity from its side effects. Also, users often self-medicate to treat mood disorder such as depression or anxiety. However, anyone can still recover from diazepam addiction.


What causes Diazepam addiction?

Diazepam addiction can quickly develop after just a few weeks of use. The body builds up tolerance resulting for the users to consume more of the drug to get the same effects. Diazepam can also produce quick side effects like a feeling of euphoria which makes it a popular drug of choice.

What are the signs and symptoms of Diazepam addiction?

When someone is abusing diazepam, they will show red flags signs that their loved ones can observe. Recognizing some of the signs and symptoms of diazepam abuse can help save the life of those addicted to it. Some of the red flags from diazepam abuse can affect the physical and psychological attributes of the body. These include:

  • Aggression
  • Agitation
  • Amnesia or memory glitches
  • Blurred vision
  • Dilated eyes
  • Dizziness
  • Double vision
  • Dry retching
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Hallucinations
  • Hostility
  • Impaired coordination
  • Increased risk of suicide
  • Loss of interest in sex
  • Mania
  • Memory problems
  • Muscle weakness
  • Nausea
  • Panic attacks
  • Psychosis
  • Rage
  • Sedation
  • Slurred speech
  • Vomiting


Heavy diazepam abuse can result in severe health problems which include:

  • Depression
  • Hyperactivity
  • Loss of interests previously enjoyed
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Reduced inhibitions
  • Seizures
  • Thoughts of suicide or self-injury
  • Tremors
  • Urine retention

 

Another sign of diazepam abuse can cause loss of judgment. Users often mix the drug with other substances like alcohol ignoring the possible deadly effect of the drug. Death because of drug overdose from diazepam occurs when users mix it with other higher doses of opiates or alcohol. As these drugs can slow down the respiratory system resulting in slower breathing problems.

 

Also, users may become a poor driver because of their trouble focusing. Persons who abuse diazepam have a slower reaction time than normal, which may eventually lead to accidents. Also, because of the sedating effect, the user may not react to road hazards and safety information.

 

What are the side effects of Diazepam?

Diazepam abuse can result in detrimental side effects to all aspects of the human body. These include physical, psychological and even personal life of the user. Some of the side effects of diazepam include:

 

Physical side effects of diazepam:
  • Dry retching
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Fatigue
  • Hyperactivity
  • Impaired or loss of reflexes
  • Impaired coordination
  • Nausea
  • Restlessness
  • Seizures
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Slurred speech
  • Tremors
  • Twitches
  • Vertigo
  • Death


Psychological side effects of diazepam:

  • Agitation
  • Aggression
  • Anxiety
  • Cognitive problems
  • Confusion
  • Difficulty in concentration
  • Hallucinations
  • Hostility
  • Increased risk of suicide
  • Mania
  • Memory problems
  • Panic attacks
  • Psychosis
  • Rage

Personal side effects of diazepam:

  • Avoids personal interaction
  • Career failure
  • Loss of family connections
  • Friendships and other relationships are concluded
  • Monetary problems
  • Stops doing enjoyable activities

 

What are the treatments available for Diazepam addiction?

 

The most effective way to treat diazepam addiction is to gradually reduce the dosage of the drug intake. Detoxification can be lengthy as it depends on how the users take the drug and the duration of their addiction. Gradual reduction is the most effective way to treat diazepam addiction. Medical practitioners opposed to the abrupt stop intake of the drug, as it can do more harm than to treat the disorder. Doctors may even prescribe medication to lessen the withdrawal symptoms to make is more comfortable for the user to undergo the detoxification process.

Similarly, diazepam is a physically addictive drug. Abruptly stopping the intake can result in severe withdrawal symptoms. The withdrawal effects are similar to barbiturate and alcohol withdrawal symptoms. Also, users can experience life-threatening symptoms which can also be frightening. Detoxification in inpatient rehabilitation is highly recommended. Medical practitioners can monitor the users round the clock to ensure safety and care.

 

Some of the withdrawal symptoms for diazepam abuse include:

 

  • Recurring anxiety
  • Aggravation of the original anxiety symptoms
  • Emergence of worry
  • Insomnia
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Distrust
  • Nausea
  • Irritability
  • Blurred vision
  • Obsessive chewing
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Increased heart beat/ tachycardia
  • Muscle tension
  • Agitation and severe restlessness
  • Muscle and joint pain
  • Hallucinations
  • Grand mal seizures

How long is the duration of the withdrawal?

Diazepam Withdrawal Timeline
The first 24 to 48 hours Within the first 48 hours from the last intake, users may not experience much of the withdrawal symptoms.
3 to 4 days In this window, users may experience the first withdrawal symptoms.
From 4 days onwards Withdrawal symptoms may peak during these times.

For diazepam addiction treatment, there are no exact days on how the users will recover from the addiction. It all depends on how often the user took diazepam, the duration of the abuse and whether the user took diazepam with other substances.

 

However, it is significant for the person to still undergo medical detoxification as to treat the addiction. Under medical supervision experts can also give proper treatment for other disorder associated with diazepam addiction. Call Rehab Near Me to find a provider that can help you overcome diazepam addiction today!

About Ewa Beach

About Hawaii

Hawaii ( hə-WY-ee; Hawaiian: Hawaiʻi [həˈvɐjʔi, həˈwɐjʔi]) is an island state of the United States, in the Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles (3,200 km) southwest of the U.S. mainland. It is the only state not on the North American mainland, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only state in the tropics. Hawaii consists of 137 volcanic islands that comprise almost the entire Hawaiian archipelago (the exception, which is outside the state, is Midway Atoll). Spanning 1,500 miles (2,400 km), the state is physiographically and ethnologically part of the Polynesian subregion of Oceania. Hawaii's ocean coastline is consequently the fourth-longest in the U.S., at about 750 miles (1,210 km). The eight main islands, from northwest to southeast, are Niʻihau, Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Lānaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, Maui, and Hawaiʻi, after which the state is named; the latter is often called the "Big Island" or "Hawaii Island" to avoid confusion with the state or archipelago. The uninhabited Northwestern Hawaiian Islands make up most of the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, the largest protected area in the U.S. and the fourth-largest in the world. Of the 50 U.S. states, Hawaii is the eighth-smallest in land area and the 11th-least populous; but with 1.4 million residents, it ranks 13th in population density. Two-thirds of Hawaii residents live on O'ahu, home to the state's capital and largest city, Honolulu. Hawaii is among the country's most diverse states, owing to its central location in the Pacific and over two centuries of migration. As one of only six majority-minority states, it has the only Asian American plurality, the largest Buddhist community, and largest proportion of multiracial people in the U.S. Consequently, Hawaii is a unique melting pot of North American and East Asian cultures, in addition to its indigenous Hawaiian heritage. Settled by Polynesians sometime between 1000 and 1200 CE, Hawaii was home to numerous independent chiefdoms. In 1778, British explorer James Cook was the first known non-Polynesian to arrive at the archipelago; early British influence is reflected in the state flag, which bears a Union Jack. An influx of European and American explorers, traders, and whalers soon arrived, leading to the decimation of the once-isolated indigenous community through the introduction of diseases such as syphilis, tuberculosis, smallpox, and measles; the native Hawaiian population declined from between 300,000 and one million to less than 40,000 by 1890. Hawaii became a unified, internationally recognized kingdom in 1810, remaining independent until American and European businessmen overthrew the monarchy in 1893; this led to annexation by the U.S. in 1898. As a strategically valuable U.S. territory, Hawaii was attacked by Japan on December 7, 1941, which brought it global and historical significance, and contributed to America's entry into World War II. Hawaii is the most recent state to join the union, on August 21, 1959. In 1993, the U.S. government formally apologized for its role in the overthrow of Hawaii's government, which had spurred the Hawaiian sovereignty movement and has led to ongoing efforts to obtain redress for the indigenous population. Historically dominated by a plantation economy, Hawaii remains a major agricultural exporter due to its fertile soil and uniquely tropical climate in the U.S. Its economy has gradually diversified since the mid-20th century, with tourism and military defense becoming the two largest sectors. The state attracts visitors, surfers, and scientists with its diverse natural scenery, warm tropical climate, abundant public beaches, oceanic surroundings, active volcanoes, and clear skies on the Big Island. Hawaii hosts the United States Pacific Fleet, the world's largest naval command, as well as 75,000 employees of the Defense Department. Hawaii's isolation results in one of the highest costs of living in the U.S. However, Hawaii is the third-wealthiest state, and residents have the longest life expectancy of any U.S. state, at 80.7 years.
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